Which is better, the 2021 Honda Accord or the 2021 Nissan Altima? - MarketWatch

The 2021 Honda Accord and 2021 Nissan Altima are popular midsize sedans that help define their respective brands. Let’s see how they compare.

2021 Honda Accord

Starting price: $25,725

Above average: Roomy interior; athletic handling; two engine choices; available hybrid.

Below average: No AWD available; awkward gear selector.

Consensus: The 2021 Honda HMC, -0.17% Accord does nearly everything well and is a top choice in this class. For the 2021 model year it gets a bump in fuel economy, an 8-inch touchscreen across the board, and wireless smartphone integration.

2021 Nissan Altima

2021 Nissan Altima starting price: $23,945

The Nissan Altima

Nissan

Above average: Available AWD; choice of two engines; comfortable seats; long highway driving range.

Below average: CVT transmissions only; can’t pair AWD with the turbo engine.

Consensus: The 2021 Nissan NSANY, -2.68% Altima is a roomy and capable midsize sedan with a long list of available safety and driver assists. The addition of AWD adds to Altima’s appeal, especially in the Snowbelt.

Accord vs. Altima: Popular and versatile midsize sedans

Honda Accord

The 2021 Honda Accord is a driver’s car, and its chassis exhibits deft control of body motions and lively responses. Note, though, that the available larger wheels hurt ride quality. The 192-hp 1.5-liter turbocharged base engine mates to a CVT, while the 252-hp 2.0-liter turbo pairs with a 10-speed automatic. Sadly, Honda has dropped the manual transmission. The base engine’s combined fuel economy is up to 33 mpg (depending on trim). The 2.0-liter turbo produces 26 mpg. The available Accord Hybrid, meanwhile, returns up to 48 mpg.

Also see: Which is better, the 2021 Toyota Corolla or the Mazda3?

This latest Accord boasts swoopy styling, yet Honda engineers have carved out a big interior. Rear-seat legroom is expansive, though passengers will need to duck their heads getting in. Trunk space is best in class. Up front, narrow pillars and a low dash make for good visibility. An 8-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone integration is now standard on all trims. Honda has added some more user-friendly knobs, but the transmission’s oddball pushbuttons remain. A long list of safety features is included, although blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are only on the top three trims.

Nissan Altima

The 2021 Nissan Altima makes its case on technology, comfort, and efficiency. Most Altimas use a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine making 188 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. The step-up engine is a 2.0-liter turbo with 236 horsepower and 267 lb-ft. It’s limited to the sporty SR trim. The 2.5-liter is offered in five different trims: S, SV, SR, SL, and Platinum. All-wheel drive is optional on the three middle trims and standard on the Platinum, but frustratingly, it can’t be paired with the 2.0-liter turbo. The base engine returns 31–32 mpg (EPA combined estimates), and the highway range can top 600 miles. AWD subtracts 1 to 2 mpg. The 2.0-liter turbo’s combined estimate is 29 mpg.

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Both engines are paired with CVTs, which is never the keen driver’s favorite. But Nissan’s Xtronic is tuned to imitate a conventional automatic. The Altima is pleasant to drive, with the SR offering a firm suspension. Ride quality suffers from the 19-inch wheels. Nissan’s ProPilot Assist combines adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and semi-automated lane centering. It’s offered on the SL, Platinum, and 2.0 SR. All Altimas get forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure, blind-spot, and rear cross-traffic alerts standard on all but the S. The interior is roomy, the seats comfortable, and cabin tech is user-friendly, though the S is denied Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Similarities

A long list of available safety features; choice of two engines; continuously variable automatic transmissions; roomy interiors and spacious trunks.

2021 Honda Accord advantages

More engaging handling; stylish exterior; available hybrid; a reputation for reliability and good resale.

2021 Nissan Altima advantages

Lower pricing; available AWD; available ProPilot Assist driving feature.

Final recommendation

The 2021 Nissan Altima performs well in all areas but isn’t really a standout in any. Its available AWD is a win as is its somewhat lower pricing. The 2021 Honda Accord, however, boasts driving dynamics that are a class above, a large cabin, and a sophisticated 10-speed automatic with the optional turbo engine. It also offers a hybrid with high fuel economy. The Accord remains the class leader.

This story originally ran on KBB.com.

December 23, 2020 at 05:05PM
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Which is better, the 2021 Honda Accord or the 2021 Nissan Altima? - MarketWatch

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